A47 upgrade hopes rise as Parliament debates calls by Cambs, Norfolk and Suffolk MPs to make it a priority

Roads minister Robert Goodwill has given his clearest signal yet that there could be some money for the A47, telling MPs that there would be “some degree of success” for the six shortlisted roads, which include the A47.

MPs from across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and Suffolk told the transport minister a plan to fully dual the main trunk road was needed for the East Anglian economy and to improve safety on the key East Anglian trunk road.

Broadland MP Keith Simpson, who called the debate, said there was a strong economic case for the upgrade and also highlighted safety concerns on the key trunk road.

He has called for the A47 to be top of the list in the government’s road infrastructure plans.

Responding to the debate, Mr Goodwill said: “My right honourable friend, the member for Broadland (Keith Simpson) talked about competition.

“Could I make it clear this is not a competition where there will be only one winner and I hazard to suggest that there will be a degree of success in all these areas we have identified? Of course this campaign, and you talked about hunting as a pack in your part of the world is one that highlighted the important to the whole region the improvement of this particular road.”